Portal:South East England/Selected biography/12

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Bob Monkhouse (born Robert Allen Monkhouse) OBE (June 1, 1928–December 29, 2003), was an English entertainer in the traditional sense, though primarily known as a comedian and game show host.

Monkhouse was born in Beckenham, Kent, and educated at Dulwich College, from which he was expelled; he worked briefly as an animator before his national service. On leaving the RAF in 1948, he was one of the first comedians to be given a contract by the BBC.

Originally employed as a scriptwriter for radio comedy in partnership with Dennis Goodwin, Monkhouse gradually moved over to television, hosting programmes such as Candid Camera in the early 1960s. He also had an income as a gag-writer for many visiting American comedians including Bob Hope when they wanted topical jokes for their British tours. He also appeared in comedy films, including the first of the Carry On film series, Carry On Sergeant. One of his biggest television successes was as host of The Golden Shot during the late 1960s. He went on to host several quiz shows, including Celebrity Squares, Bob's Full House, Family Fortunes and Wipeout. He also starred in the 1979 sketch comedy television series Bonkers! with the Hudson Brothers.